The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-07
Commen,s OF ,he paiIy Press.

NEw YoRK, Dec. G.-Thc Times, in It's
editorial on the Presidents message, will
say: "Mr. Cleveland has done an act OF
craftsmanship in the best sense. Recog-
nizing a great duty, he has. performed il
with courage, with irmncss aud at the
right time. And he has performed IL 80
that every honest man must see that Il is
nm honest act. Judged by any ordinary
standard Of political expedicncy, the Pres
ident's act is incNpcdicnt. lie has forced
upon his party an issue rs 10 which his
party il divided, aud 80 divided that unless
The minority yield Il can defeat the will
Of the majority. lie has done this on
the eve OF national contest in
which considerable number Of
men Of influence in the party have
been urging him TO avoid this issue, aud
threatening him and the party with disas-
ter II he did not avoid H. On the other
hand, there is nothing In this issue. thus
presented, by which Mr. Cleveland could
hope 10 draw from the Republican party
nny votes. Nor this alone, for II the pro-
icctionist faction in the Democratic party
carry ont their own desires, do what they
have continually declared they would do
Mr.. Cleveland has done the one thing Ly
which he could impcril the prospect Of his
denomination. Il places Mr.. Cleveland
lar above any OF the leaders 10 whom the
Republican party has Of late lent hear
ing, and above most Of the leaders Of his
own party"
The sun will say: at is not a common.
place document, for 1t is simple, iniclli.
giblc aud coherent, and the quality Of
hrcyity Is chiefly due 90 the fact that all
other topics of national interest are dis
missed in lump or postponed ~ inconsc.
qucntial in the presence ol one problem Of
supreme importance the question Of tariff
revision. lie declares that the theoretical
question as between protection and free
trade is entirely irrelevant, and yet the
most striking and interesting part Of the
message is devoted 10 precisely that snrt of
an argument with which any free trade
representative in Congress, or any free
trade professor in q college classroom,
or the author Of any free trade
textbook Of political economy would
begin an attack upon the theory Of
protection. This, We say, ~ the most nota-
bic fact about the message. Mr.. Clcyo-
land has never before, In public paper,
taken sides upon this question. lie has
done 20 now in manner that leaves room
for no Misunderstanding. II Is bold
thing to do, and the President deserves
credit for the plainness Of his speech. No
body can'accusc him Of hedging, or bag
Cling, or juggling with words. SO FAR does
he 90 upon the familiar lines Of the free
trade speeches in Congress and elsewhere,
that We find him betrayed here and there,
no doubt unconsciously, intoan exhibition
II slight irritation against American manu-
iacturcrs NJ class, almost M II they were
conspimions and public enemies"
The World will say "The admirable
message Of the President has given 10 the
Democratic party what IL has long lacked,
an issue and leader The issue is tax
reform, the leader IL the President
II can hardly be that tho President has
not, at this iuncture, influence enough 10
secure tho union Of the Democrats In the
House upon measure Of revenue re-
duction and tariff reform"
The Tribune will say "For the first
time In the country's history. the Prcsl-
dents annual message Omits all reference
30 the many grave interests respecting
which good citizens OF all parties agree,
and IA exclusively devoted 20 an issue be-
tween parties. IIthlueHl NlcN'lanu BiNch
Congress no information about the fishery
question. the pending negotiations with
Great Britain or relations with other for
cign powers. The nearest approach 10
this strange performance In the annual
messages Of previous Presidents was when
Mr.. buchanan devoted most Of a message
TO n defense Of his policy In Kansas. The
precedent can hardly DO consd-
cred attractive in the light Of ia
rosulis. President Cleveland seems
reirshingly unaware that his entire mes
sage Is Inspired By extreme free trade